Rihanna's Sweater Skirt Set Makes Me Want to Ditch Sweatpants

Rihanna returns to Giorgio Baldi in a cozy sweater skirt set and strappy heels

(Image credit: Backgrid)

In my closet, matching sweater sets are the gift that keeps on giving. Even if the dress code vetos a crewneck and joggers, sweater sets aren't out of the equation. I just opt for one with a skirt, like Rihanna's on February 5.

Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica—Rihanna's signature dinner spot since 2009—welcomed back the regular and her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky, for the first time since December. The restaurant knows her so well, she could arrive in pajamas and she'd still receive prime seating. Even so, Rihanna treated the dinner the way she would a Hollywood event. Stylist Jahleel Weaver dressed her up in a charcoal gray co-ord, beginning with a turtleneck-hoodie hybrid.

Knowing RiRi, the hoodie will get plenty of solo wear. For its street style debut, the matching maxi skirt tagged along. Its ankle-grazing hem left just enough room for her strappy sandals to peek out. That, my friends, is where her look ended. Apart from diamond stud earrings, Rihanna's most recognizable jewels—even her go-to $100,000 pink watch—stayed home. Clearly, the goal here was to spotlight her sweater set.

A sweater dress is another comfort-first fail-safe in my regular rotation; one the Grammy winner put on my radar years ago. Her hooded Acne Studios dress—knitted from charcoal wool for the Fall 2024 season—will always be my blueprint.

Its strategically-placed, full-length zipper turned an otherwise slouchy fabric, sultry. She unzipped the slit just enough to showcase her over-the-knee Balenciaga boots. Bottega Veneta's Maxi Lauren Intrecciato Clutch upped the "I just threw this on" energy of the final, four-figure outfit.

Rihanna wearing a sweater dress in 2024 — Back in Oct. 2024, RiRi pulled off an oversize sweater dress with ease.

Bottega Veneta

Maxi Lauren 1980 Leather Clutch Bag

Rihanna's latest look speaks to an overarching loungewear-adjacent trend bubbling up on the runways. Matching sets made from lightweight textiles like suede, wool, and cotton debuted during Fendi, Brunello Cucinelli, and Bottega Veneta's Spring 2026 shows. Translation: There's no shortage of relaxed, Rihanna-coded sets on the market right now. The ones ahead are my favorites for elevating the feel of sweatpants in an instant.

Shop Sweater Skirt Sets Inspired by Rihanna

Falconeri

Oversized Turtleneck Sweater in Ultrasoft Cashmere

Reformation

Meritt Cashmere Turtleneck

Norma Kamali

Oversized Raglan Sleeve Turtleneck Mini Dress

Falconeri

Ribbed Wool Skirt

Theory

Knit Pull-On Skirt in Astor Wool

Z Supply

Demure Maxi Skirt (Was $88)

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Meguire Hennes is the fashion staff writer at Marie Claire, where she breaks down the celebrity looks living rent-free in her head (and yours). Whether a star is walking the red carpet or posing on Instagram, Meguire will tell you who they're wearing and why. When she's not gushing about A-listers from J.Law to Rihanna, Meguire also covers breaking industry news.

Previously, Meguire was the fashion news writer at The Zoe Report. She received a bachelor's degree in fashion studies at Montclair State University, and has freelanced at Bustle, Women's Health, Well+Good, and more. You can find her words across the fashion, beauty, health, and wellness verticals, because her Libra moon wouldn't let her settle on one beat. Follow her on Instagram for BTS moments from her Marie Claire era.